October 31, 2009 9:16 AM
Sam wrote:
Did ya find Obadiah fast? Two books after Hosea. Who is this dude? Well, let's look into history to find out about him before we delve into the book itself. Must not have been VERY important as all he had to prophesy about took 1 type written page!! Well, not really, as you correctly assume, he made it into the Bible. There are only a few other authors who have done that! So, important? Yes. But what ABOUT him?
Here's a good summary of him, info I found on the net. This is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of a mere 21 verses in a single chapter. The date of his ministry is not certain but the events recorded in his writings may refer to the invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a date near 586 BC. The main thrust of his ministry, reflected in the themes of his book, is the ultimate victory of the people of God if they maintain their faith. Edom is used as an example of failure to manifest love toward one's neighbor in times of need, (v 1-17) and the eventual victory of Israel is declared in a vision of the future. (v 18-21).
In some Christian traditions he is said to have been born in Shechem, and to have been the third centurion sent out by Ahab against Elijah.
Obadiah is said to have been a convert to Judaism from Edom, a descendant of Eliphaz, one of the friends of Job. He is identified with the Obadiah who was the servant of Ahab, and it is said that he was chosen to prophesy against Edom because he was himself an Edomite. Moreover, having lived with two such godless persons as Ahab and Jezebel without learning to act as they did, he seemed the most suitable person to prophesy against Edom, who, having been brought up by two pious persons, Isaac and Rebekah, had not learned to imitate their good deeds.
Obadiah is supposed to have received the gift of prophecy for having hidden the hundred and twenty eight prophets from the persecution of Jezebel. He hid the prophets in two caves, so that if those in one cave should be discovered those in the other might yet escape (1 Kings 18:3-4).
Obadiah was very rich, but all his wealth was expended in feeding the poor prophets, until, in order to be able to continue to support them, finally he had to borrow money at interest from Ahab's son Jehoram.
He is regarded as a saint by several Catholic churches. They celebrate his memory on November 19 (for those churches which follow the traditional Julian Calendar, November 19 currently falls on December 2 of the modern Gregorian Calendar).
According to tradition, Obadiah is buried in Samaria.
Well, there you have it.....my next posting will be my brief summary of this brief book and possibly something we can actually LEARN from it....
We see Obadiah prophesying about Esau's evil deed he did against his brother Jacob. Now, this was the NATION of Esau which stole from the NATION of Jacob, as Jacob and Esau had lived/died many many years before Obadiah was prophesying, and not the actual two brothers. If you were to read this without that knowledge, you might think he was talking about the actual two brothers....but not so. He is also talking us people everywhere, all the time. Obadiah uses God's words to warn us of looking down on others (if you take the 'br' out of 'brothers', you have 'others'--ono extra charge for this jewel of knowledge!). God was warning His people not to think anyone was any better than the other, and that everyone should help those in distress. We have often talked about this trait of a true Christian. Tony helps people in need all the time. He is the only person I know who always selflessly gives of his time and talents. I am proud to think of myself as his friend. How about you (anyone reading this)? How do YOU help others? Do you sponsor children in devastated countries with dollars. Do you devote a lot of time to selfless service to the community, to the church, to your neighbor? These are just some of the things God is implying here. Take care of others who need your help....don't 'rob' from them. And that is what people do when they COULD, but DON'T, help. Redistribute the monies and talents God has lent you, and you will see His love pour out in YOUR life even more.
Did ya find Obadiah fast? Two books after Hosea. Who is this dude? Well, let's look into history to find out about him before we delve into the book itself. Must not have been VERY important as all he had to prophesy about took 1 type written page!! Well, not really, as you correctly assume, he made it into the Bible. There are only a few other authors who have done that! So, important? Yes. But what ABOUT him?
Here's a good summary of him, info I found on the net. This is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of a mere 21 verses in a single chapter. The date of his ministry is not certain but the events recorded in his writings may refer to the invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a date near 586 BC. The main thrust of his ministry, reflected in the themes of his book, is the ultimate victory of the people of God if they maintain their faith. Edom is used as an example of failure to manifest love toward one's neighbor in times of need, (v 1-17) and the eventual victory of Israel is declared in a vision of the future. (v 18-21).
In some Christian traditions he is said to have been born in Shechem, and to have been the third centurion sent out by Ahab against Elijah.
Obadiah is said to have been a convert to Judaism from Edom, a descendant of Eliphaz, one of the friends of Job. He is identified with the Obadiah who was the servant of Ahab, and it is said that he was chosen to prophesy against Edom because he was himself an Edomite. Moreover, having lived with two such godless persons as Ahab and Jezebel without learning to act as they did, he seemed the most suitable person to prophesy against Edom, who, having been brought up by two pious persons, Isaac and Rebekah, had not learned to imitate their good deeds.
Obadiah is supposed to have received the gift of prophecy for having hidden the hundred and twenty eight prophets from the persecution of Jezebel. He hid the prophets in two caves, so that if those in one cave should be discovered those in the other might yet escape (1 Kings 18:3-4).
Obadiah was very rich, but all his wealth was expended in feeding the poor prophets, until, in order to be able to continue to support them, finally he had to borrow money at interest from Ahab's son Jehoram.
He is regarded as a saint by several Catholic churches. They celebrate his memory on November 19 (for those churches which follow the traditional Julian Calendar, November 19 currently falls on December 2 of the modern Gregorian Calendar).
According to tradition, Obadiah is buried in Samaria.
Well, there you have it.....my next posting will be my brief summary of this brief book and possibly something we can actually LEARN from it....
God is good.
Reply to this
Okay, the 'BOOK' (OR PAGE/LETTER/ETC) of Obadiah.
We see Obadiah prophesying about Esau's evil deed he did against his brother Jacob. Now, this was the NATION of Esau which stole from the NATION of Jacob, as Jacob and Esau had lived/died many many years before Obadiah was prophesying, and not the actual two brothers. If you were to read this without that knowledge, you might think he was talking about the actual two brothers....but not so. He is also talking us people everywhere, all the time. Obadiah uses God's words to warn us of looking down on others (if you take the 'br' out of 'brothers', you have 'others'--ono extra charge for this jewel of knowledge!). God was warning His people not to think anyone was any better than the other, and that everyone should help those in distress. We have often talked about this trait of a true Christian. Tony helps people in need all the time. He is the only person I know who always selflessly gives of his time and talents. I am proud to think of myself as his friend. How about you (anyone reading this)? How do YOU help others? Do you sponsor children in devastated countries with dollars. Do you devote a lot of time to selfless service to the community, to the church, to your neighbor? These are just some of the things God is implying here. Take care of others who need your help....don't 'rob' from them. And that is what people do when they COULD, but DON'T, help. Redistribute the monies and talents God has lent you, and you will see His love pour out in YOUR life even more.
God is good.
Reply to this